DallasAg 94 said:

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Probably time to revisit life without Monty. Still hope he joins the Rangers, but now that P&C have reported, it is time look at SP and see what happens in Spring Training. This will help with whom to follow and compare if 2023 was just everyone having a career year, or if 2023 is more indicative of what to expect.

Much of the Rangers success in 2023 was about keeping the SP healthy, filling in sufficiently when injuries happened, and then adding Scherzer and Monty after the trade-deadline. For me, it is that simple.

Current projected rotation for 2024 with 2023 #s
Gray (31): 29GS, 4.12 ERA, 157.1 IP, 142 SO, 1.29 WHIP
- Career: 204GS 4.45 ERA. Spent 7yrs in Colorado: 151GS, 4.59 ERA.
- '22 Tex: 24GS, 3.96 ERA, 127.1 IP, 134 SO, 1.131 WHIP
- Career at Coors: 74GS, 4.54 ERA
You could argue Gray had a down year in '23, based on his '22 numbers.

Heaney (32): 28GS, 4.15 ERA, 147.1 IP, 151 SO, 1.38 WHIP, 34G
- Career: 154 GS, 4.49 ERA

Dunning (28): 26GS, 3.70 ERA, 172.2 IP, 140 SO, 1.26 WHIP, 35G
- Career: 87GS, 4.16 ERA
- Rookie: 7GS, 3.97 ERA (CWS)

Eovaldi (33): 25GS, 3.63 ERA, 144.0 IP, 132 SO, 1.14 WHIP
- Career: 246GS, 4.10 ERA
- '20-22: 61GS, 3.79 ERA

Bradford (25): 8GS, 5.30 ERA, 56.0 IP, 51 SO, 1.21 WHIP, 20G

Barring any stunning developments, I think that is where we are.
-
Players from 2023 that will be available
Scherzer (38): 8GS, 3.20 ERA, 45.0 IP, 53 SO, 0.96 WHIP
deGrom (35): 6GS, 2.67 ERA, 30.1 IP, 45 SO, 0.76 WHIP
Yerry (25): 1GS, 7.90 ERA, 13.2 IP, 15 SO, 1.90 WHIP
-
Lost from 2023
Perez: 20GS, 4.45 ERA, 141.2 IP, 93 SO, 1.40 WHIP, 35G
Monty: 11GS, 2.79 ERA, 67.2 IP, 58 SO, 1.09 WHIP

Let's say the 2024 projected rotation repeats in 2024 what they did in 2023.
Will Scherzer and deGrom return to combine for 14 GS in the 2H?

Monty is the only real puzzle piece we need to account for, IMO.

So what?!
If much of the Rangers success in 2023 was about keeping the SP healthy, filling in sufficiently when injuries happen, and then adding pieces after the trade-deadline... will that be a working formula for '24?!

We don't need to be perfectly healthy. Losing deGrom to a season-ender could have been catastrophic. Where would we have been with him?

Having said that, we have to have Bradford step up. There is concern and uncertainty, for sure. Reality is, we only need enough SP to get to the Playoffs. We need him to be a full-season MLB-caliber SP. Eat innings at a minimum. Keep us in games.

We have Mahle, Scherzer, and deGrom slated to return this summer presumably as trade-deadline additions. We need them healthy. Adding 3 SPs like that mid-season would be huge. Someone in the Opening Day roster will miss game, loving the idea of adding 3.

A playoff rotation that features:
deGrom: 215GS, 2.53 Career ERA in 10 years.
Scherzer: 448GS, 3.15 Career ERA in 16 years.
Eovaldi: 246GS, 4.10 Career ERA in 16 years.

Will match up with anyone. Would Monty be lovely?! Sure.

Rookies to consider? This was from a post where I projected MiLB SPs:

Quote:

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I could see our AAA rotation:
White (24-MLB) #8: 24GS, 4.22 ERA (AA/AAA)
Winn (24-MLB) #28 : 13GS, 7.22 (AAA)
Leiter (23-AAA-2024) #5: 20GS, 5.19 ERA (AA/AAA)
Acker (24-AA) : 18GS, 2.54 ERA (A+/AA)

We need one from above to land for 2025. I'd like to see each get some GS in 2024 like Bradford got and see what we get. Bradford plus one of these are your 2. even if two #5s would be fine by me.

Our possible AA rotation:
Stephan (22-AA-2025) #15: 12GS, 2.30 ERA (A+/AA)
Teodo (22-A+-2025) #22: 14GS, 4.52 (A+)
Bratt (20-A+-2025) #17: 16GS, 3.54 (A+)
Corniell (20-MLB-2026) #23: 17GS, 2.75 (A/A+)

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As we say on the farm... "It's nut cuttin' time."

I need to see all the SPs that were invited to ST. If you have it, I'd love to see it. I think there are 2-3 retreads/hopefuls that will likely get plugged in on the Farm if necessary. You'll notice I only have 4 on each AAA/AA team.

The Bullpen is where I think the most improvement will come and why people projecting us to lose more games in 2024 will be wrong.

Blown Saves in '23:
5: Smith, Leclerc
4: Anderson, Hernandez, Sborz
3: Chapman
2: Burke
1: Heaney, Kennedy, King, Yerry, Speas, Straton
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30 Saves out of 63 Chances
33 Blown Saves

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This DMN article I posted the other day has the full ST roster if you have a sub. If not, let me know and I'll list out the pitchers.

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2024/02/12/texas-rangers-spring-training-2024-roster-invites/?sailthru_id=6268110a4f757f64badd17d2&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EveningRoundup_02122024&utm_term=Evening%20Roundup%20with%20Start%20Exclusion

I don't have a Sub.

Evan Grant posted a ridiculous offer for one, but for me it isn't the money.

2 major issues they crossed.
One was that they had begun inserting an alarming number of NYT authored articles. When they asked why I canceled I told them if they were using NYT writers I could just buy the NYT.

I think that spring training hat would look good with the Red jerseys, and maybe the white

Josh Sborz bullpen. V disappointed he doesn’t now finish every pitch with that glove spike from WS pic.twitter.com/ddAQsLPUkn

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) February 15, 2024

The sweet sounds of spring

Re the pitching...

My biggest concern is the lack of depth until all the injured guys get back. Last year DeGrom went down and in stepped Dunning. We HAVE to get one of White/Winn/Leiter to step up this year like Bradford did last.

Wild guess, but I'd think the bullpen is:

Leclerc
Robertson
Hernandez
Sborz
Yates
Burke
Kelly (would love it)
Long man if we go 8

I'll be out there next month!

Do they have no faith the kid puts it together, tired of him taking coaching from his dad above coaches, or a mix? No idea if the second question is just internet fan fodder.

I think the delta between his current value and what he could be so great he'd be hard to trade. Reminds me a bit of when we got Spencer Howard and look how that worked out.

One guy I wish we still had around was Glen Otto. That's the kind of AAA depth this team needs.

Leiter's break last summer where he took some odd number of weeks off was exactly this. They recognized that he needed to take a few steps back mechanically, to help him gain better control of his fastball and bring down his walks. When he came back towards the end of last year we did see some improvement. He had a few games where you could tell he was putting his fastball where he wanted more often.

Now, this is not what you want to hear when it comes to your top five draft pick/best pitcher in his draft multiple years into his pro career. I tend to agree with Mr Gigem that I think Leiter is prime trade bait. As long as he shows improvement this year of some kind, I think he would be put in a deal for someone like Dylan Cease etc. With what Leiter has gone through with the Rangers, I just don't see him pitching here.

The starting pitching for the big club this year is going to be pretty hit and miss, unfortunately, and I just don't see someone like Bradford or White stepping up enough to quell any of those feelings.

DallasAg 94 said:

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I don't have a Sub.

Evan Grant posted a ridiculous offer for one, but for me it isn't the money.

2 major issues they crossed.
One was that they had begun inserting an alarming number of NYT authored articles. When they asked why I canceled I told them if they were using NYT writers I could just buy the NYT.

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***apologies for the formatting... it's all in a nice table online But I don't have time to pretty up the formatting today, so it is what it is.



Pitchers (24)
Number
Name
B-T
Age*
2023 stats
Comment65
Grant Anderson
R-R
26
5.05 ERA (35.2 IP)
Magical '23 debut, but was quickly figured out
61
Cody Bradford
L-L
26
4-to-1 K to BB rate
5th starter unless somebody is added
46
Brock Burke
L-L
27
18 outings of 1+ IP
6.38 ERA, .922 opponents OPS in second half
68
Marc Church
R-R
22
11.5 K/9 IP at AA-AAA
38 BBs in 62 IP in minors is too many
84
Carson Coleman
R-R
25
Did not pitch
Rule 5 pick from NYY recovering from TJ surgery
87
Jose Corniell
R-R
20
2.92 ERA (101.2 IP) at Class High-A
Minor League Pitcher of the Year in '23
48
Jacob deGrom
R-R
35
2.67 ERA (30.1 IP)
Hoping he's back from TJ for second half
33
Dane Dunning
R-R
29
3.70 ERA (172.2 IP)
Came from 'pen to be team's best starter
17
Nathan Eovaldi
R-R
34
3.63 ERA (144 IP)
Team will go slow with postseason hero
22
Jon Gray
R-R
32
4.12 ERA (157 IP)
Lights out as postseason reliever, but he's the No. 3 starter
44
Andrew Heaney
L-L
32
4.15 ERA (147.1 IP)
Walk rate of 9.4% was highest of career
72
Jonathan Hernndez
R-R
27
0-4 in save situations
Must find strike zone more consistently
70
Antoine Kelly
L-L
24
2.04 ERA (57.1 IP) at AA-AAA
1.021 WHIP, .515 OPS after July 1
78
Zak Kent
R-R
26
4.87 ERA (40.1 IP) at ACL-AAA
Might have best breaking ball in system
67
Jake Latz
L-L
27
12.3 Ks/9 IP at AAA
Has chance to stick as second lefty reliever
25
Jos Leclerc
R-R
30
Saves: 4, Blown saves: 5
Must arrive stronger to stick as closer
51
Tyler Mahle
R-R
29
3.16 ERA (25.2 IP) with MIN
Free agent signee still in TJ rehab
37
David Robertson
R-R
38
3.03 ERA (65.1 IP) with NYM, MIA
Don't ignore 175 career saves
57
Yerry Rodriguez
R-R
26
78Ks in 62 IP at AAA/Rangers
He's out of minor league options
31
Max Scherzer
R-R
39
3.77 ERA (152.2 IP) with NYM/Rangers
Out 'til mid-season rehabbing back
66
Josh Sborz
R-R
30
5.50 ERA (52.1 IP)
Can he duplicate great postseason run?
43
Owen White
R-R
24
4.50 ERA (112 IP) at AA-AAA-Rangers
Most to gain from strong spring
60
Cole Winn
R-R
24
7.22 ERA (101 IP) at AAA
Might be last shot for 1st rounder to make impression
39
Kirby Yates
L-R
36
3.29 ERA (61 IP) with Atlanta
Two years out from TJ, can he return to previous form?

Here are the non-roster pitcher invitees:

Pitchers (14)
Name
B-T
Age*
2023 stats
CommentGerardo Carillo
R-R
25
2 appearances at AA (WAS)
Tore ACL in '23, but pitched in Mexico in winter
Diego Castillo
R-R
30
5.30 ERA (56 IP) at AAA/SEA
2.95 ERA in 134 IP with TB, SEA from 2020-22
Danny Duffy
L-L
35
42K, 29 BB (35.2 IP) at AA/AAA
Injured vet last pitched in majors in July of '21
Shane Greene
R-R
35
3.07 ERA (31.2 IP) in Cubs org.
All-Star closer in '19, has 57 IP in MLB since
Jonathan Holder
R-R
30
5.40 ERA (66.2 IP) at AAA with LAA
Hasn't pitched in MLB since 2020
Jack Leiter
R-R
23
5.19 ERA (85 IP) at AA-AA, 110 Ks
No. 2 overall pick in 2021 needs to take step forward
Austin Pruitt
R-R
34
2.98 ERA (48.1 IP) with Oakland
K numbers (5.6/9 IP) are low for a reliever
Daniel Robert
L-R
29
4.40 ERA (43 IP) at AAA
Career 12.2 K/9 IP in minors makes him intriguing
Chasen Shreve
L-L
33
4.63 ERA (44.2 IP) with DET, CIN
A veteran lefty relief option
Blake Taylor
L-L
28
5.15 ERA (36.2 IP) at AAA (HOU)
Lefties have .159 BA, .518 OPS in 150 MLB PAs
Emiliano Teodo
R-R
23
4.52 ERA (61.2 IP) at A+ level
Between minors, AZ Fall League, 12.8 K/9 IP
Jess Tinoco
R-R
28
2.83 ERA (35 IP) in Japan
Gave up HR No. 62 to Aaron Judge in '22
Jos Ureña
R-R
32
6.45 ERA (44.2 IP) with COL, CWS
Is only veteran depth option for rotation
Grant Wolfram
L-L
27
3.89 ERA (62 IP) at AA-AAA
Might be eventual multi-inning relief option

DallasAg 94 said:

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I don't have a Sub.

Evan Grant posted a ridiculous offer for one, but for me it isn't the money.

2 major issues they crossed.
One was that they had begun inserting an alarming number of NYT authored articles. When they asked why I canceled I told them if they were using NYT writers I could just buy the NYT.

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And I got the DMN sub for the sports coverage, mostly for the Rangers. I'll read a non-sports article occasionally, but they usually have a "deal" and then you can get a followup for a year for a decent price. I don't remember exactly, but I'm not dropping it until at least after the upcoming Ranger season is over.

I don't live up there anymore, so the local coverage isn't very relevant for me these days. But I figured I'd help throw a bone for Evan Grant and his coverage.

Rougned Odor with no beard is criminal. pic.twitter.com/i92Pki3nK7

— Writing For the Rangers (@WritingRangers) February 16, 2024

fc2112 said:

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Rougned Odor with no beard is criminal. pic.twitter.com/i92Pki3nK7

— Writing For the Rangers (@WritingRangers) February 16, 2024

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Jung already getting an MRI for left calf tightness.

Josh Jung is undergoing an MRI for calf discomfort after fielding grounders. Good lord get this guy in a bubble.

_lefraud_ said:

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fc2112 said:

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Rougned Odor with no beard is criminal. pic.twitter.com/i92Pki3nK7

— Writing For the Rangers (@WritingRangers) February 16, 2024

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This is all just a ploy to give our young guys an opportunity to play.

Foscue-Duran-Walcott-Huff

KT 90 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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I don't have a Sub.

Evan Grant posted a ridiculous offer for one, but for me it isn't the money.

2 major issues they crossed.
One was that they had begun inserting an alarming number of NYT authored articles. When they asked why I canceled I told them if they were using NYT writers I could just buy the NYT.

---

***apologies for the formatting... it's all in a nice table online But I don't have time to pretty up the formatting today, so it is what it is.


========================================================
*** Pitchers (24) ***
Projected Rotation (4 of 5 positions set):
33 Dane Dunning (RHP-29): 3.70 ERA (172.2 IP) // Came from 'pen to be team's best starter
17 Nathan Eovaldi (RHP-34): 3.63 ERA (144 IP) // Team will go slow with postseason hero
22 Jon Gray (RHP-32): 4.12 ERA (157 IP) // Lights out as postseason reliever, but he's the No. 3 starter
44 Andrew Heaney (LHP-32): 4.15 ERA (147.1 IP) // Walk rate of 9.4% was highest of career

----------------------------
Rotation Hopefuls: (1 of the following?):
61 Cody Bradford (LHP-26): 4-to-1 K to BB rate // 5th starter unless somebody is added
87 Jose Corniell (RHP-20): 2.92 ERA (101.2 IP) at Class High-A // Minor League Pitcher of the Year in '23
78 Zak Kent (RHP-26): 4.87 ERA (40.1 IP) at ACL-AAA // Might have best breaking ball in system
43 Owen White (RHP-24): 4.50 ERA (112 IP) at AA-AAA-Rangers // Most to gain from strong spring
60 Cole Winn (RHP-24): 7.22 ERA (101 IP) at AAA // Might be last shot for 1st rounder to make impression


========================================================
*** Projected Relief (5 of 8 positions set) ***:
46 Brock Burke (LHP-27): 18 outings of 1+ IP // 6.38 ERA, .922 opponents OPS in second half
25 Jose Leclerc (RHP-30): Saves: 4, Blown saves: 5 // Must arrive stronger to stick as closer
37 David Robertson (RHP-38):3.03 ERA (65.1 IP) with NYM, MIA // Don't ignore 175 career saves
66 Josh Sborz (RHP-30): 5.50 ERA (52.1 IP) // Can he duplicate great postseason run?
39 Kirby Yates (RHP-36): 3.29 ERA (61 IP) with Atlanta // Two years out from TJ, can he return to previous form

----------------------------
Bullpen Hopefuls: (3 of the following?):
65 Grant Anderson (RHP-26): 5.05 ERA (35.2 IP) // Magical '23 debut, but was quickly figured out
68 Marc Church (RHP-22): 11.5 K/9 IP at AA-AAA // 38 BBs in 62 IP in minors is too many
84 Carson Coleman (RHP-25): Did not pitch // Rule 5 pick from NYY recovering from TJ surgery
72 Jonathan Hernandez (RHP-27): 0-4 in save situations // Must find strike zone more consistently
70 Antoine Kelly (LHP-24): 2.04 ERA (57.1 IP) at AA-AAA // 1.021 WHIP, .515 OPS after July 1
67 Jake Latz (LHP-27): 12.3 Ks/9 IP at AAA // Has chance to stick as second lefty reliever
57 Yerry Rodriguez (RHP-26): 78Ks in 62 IP at AAA/Rangers // He's out of minor league options


========================================================
Projected IL (3):
48 Jacob deGrom (RHP-35): 2.67 ERA (30.1 IP) // Hoping he's back from TJ for second half
51 Tyler Mahle (RHP-29): 3.16 ERA (25.2 IP) with MIN // Free agent signee still in TJ rehab
31 Max Scherzer (RHP-39): 3.77 ERA (152.2 IP) with NYM/Rangers // Out 'til mid-season rehabbing back

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Allow me.

Format and categorized.


IMO, we have 1 SP up for grabs with Bradford the likely tracking horse.
We have 3 RP spots open and 7 roster candidates.

With the 3 headed to the 60IL, we'll have 3 spots if we want/need them.

I really like where we are. 4 SPs. The open spot gives some of the young guys an opportunity to win a spot.

Bullpen is what it is.

I fully expect at least 6 or 7 projected SPs in MLB to start the season the IL. We're already starting to see some SPs go down. O's Bradish with UCL headed to IL.

KT 90 said:

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Here are the non-roster pitcher invitees:

Starters:
Danny Duffy (LHP-35): 42K, 29 BB (35.2 IP) at AA/AAA // Injured vet last pitched in majors in July of '21
Jack Leiter (RHP-23): 5.19 ERA (85 IP) at AA-AA, 110 Ks // No. 2 overall pick in 2021 needs to take step forward
Jos Ureña (RHP-32): 6.45 ERA (44.2 IP) with COL, CWS // Is only veteran depth option for rotation

Relievers:
Gerardo Carillo (RHP-25): 2 appearances at AA (WAS) // Tore ACL in '23, but pitched in Mexico in winter
Diego Castillo (RHP-30): 5.30 ERA (56 IP) at AAA/SEA // 2.95 ERA in 134 IP with TB, SEA from 2020-22
Shane Greene (RHP-35): 3.07 ERA (31.2 IP) in Cubs org. // All-Star closer in '19, has 57 IP in MLB since
Jonathan Holder (RHP-30): 5.40 ERA (66.2 IP) at AAA with LAA // Hasn't pitched in MLB since 2020
Austin Pruitt (RHP-34): 2.98 ERA (48.1 IP) with Oakland // K numbers (5.6/9 IP) are low for a reliever
Daniel Robert (L-R-29): 4.40 ERA (43 IP) at AAA // Career 12.2 K/9 IP in minors makes him intriguing
Chasen Shreve (LHP-33): 4.63 ERA (44.2 IP) with DET, CIN // A veteran lefty relief option
Blake Taylor (LHP-28): 5.15 ERA (36.2 IP) at AAA (HOU) // Lefties have .159 BA, .518 OPS in 150 MLB PAs
Emiliano Teodo (RHP-23): 4.52 ERA (61.2 IP) at A+ level // Between minors, AZ Fall League, 12.8 K/9 IP
Jess Tinoco (RHP-28): 2.83 ERA (35 IP) in Japan // Gave up HR No. 62 to Aaron Judge in '22
Grant Wolfram (LHP-27): 3.89 ERA (62 IP) at AA-AAA // Might be eventual multi-inning relief option

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Some of these may be in the wrong category, so I'll update when I have time to confirm.

There is a whole lotta nothing there. Ideally, I'd like a few guys like Duffy but with more recent action.

AgBQ-00 said:

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For those that are fiending. The Ags are playing ball on ESPN+

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If your cable package has SECN, you can stream on SECN+ for no additional charge (SECN+ carries most of the Aggie baseball games). ESPN+ is an additional add-on charge. I have it, so I can pull up a non-conference CBB game if it want (plus I forgot to cancel ESPN+ from college football season.... so it's ready to go , if needed).

We actually have some friends from my older son's baseball teams still playing in college, so I do like to pull up their games when I can, and I usually need ESPN+ for that.

Quote:

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There is a whole lotta nothing there. Ideally, I'd like a few guys like Duffy but with more recent action.

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Yeah, if we can get one or two of those guys to show out and compete for a spot, we are doing good. Just part of the deal with bringing in the non-roster invitee types.

For Leiter, I don't think it matters what he does in spring training, he is headed back to the minors for more seasoning and to prove himself. Hopefully he can continue to progress from the gains he made at the end of last season.

The Boras Burn.

I think we've all seen the new GM of a MLB team over-zealous and get burned by a Boras SP. They sign the big name... TJ... then the self-realization that Boras knows how to sell.

Happened to JD, which led to his view that if he had $30M to spend on SP... he'd rather buy 3 SPs at $10M than 1 SP at $30M.

What saved the Rangers last year was finding adequate SP. Even with Scherzer, CY was able to stay in the $12-15M range... Eovaldi, Heaney, Mahle, etc al. He is in that range. The one big splash... deGrom ended up with TJ.

As much as TV revenue uncertainty has been... I think CY will be gun-shy.

We have depth options in '24 and additions coming. It will be interesting to see how CY manages SP moving forward.

He is committed to developing home-grown talent. That is the way to do it. Can he?!

'24 will be the year we find out.

Just gotta hope one of the kids or Duffy pans out I guess.

Ugh. Josh Jung with calf problems, per LSB.

So Jung has calf soreness yada yada… Whataburger is opening a location in the stadium. Just curious if anyone knows what is getting removed for it?

It's behind section 106/107. I believe there was some kind of grill there already.

Jung just has a strain. Taking a couple of weeks off. Would play with it in regular season.

Mr Gigem said:

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It's behind section 106/107. I believe there was some kind of grill there already.

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You and I spoke about this when the stadium was being built. The brilliance of GLF is fewer permanent stands but wide concourses where different things can be located each season.

They just roll out the grills, fridges, etc from the old stand and roll in the Whataburger stand. Same way Hurtado was installed.

This was 11 days ago.

https://www.mlb.com/news/jordan-montgomery-rumors
"One of the top FA pitchers will 'most likely' sign within days"


Tell me... P & C have already gotten started. You are sitting at home not getting paid and you know the season will be here shortly. Your agents comes to you and says, "Hey I have the Angels on the line. You interested?!"

They're payroll is down $43M from a 73-89 season where you lost your best the AL MVP who is also your best Hitter and best Pitcher.

You added almost nothing and have the 27th ranked Farm system.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10109590-mlb-rumors-angels-mulling-cody-bellinger-blake-snell-jordan-montgomery-pursuits

MLB Rumors: Angels Mulling Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery Pursuits


I think the chances of the Angels singing one of those 3 as likely as it would be for JD to take over GM of the Rangers for 2024.

Without replacing Shohei... I can't see them averaging many runs.