Tksymm7 said:

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Another thing Evan Grant mentioned in regards to Langford was that if Corey Seager is healthy enough to hit but not healthy enough to field, where do you put him in that situation? Seager WILL be in the lineup, which would take at-bats away from Langford. I'm not saying it's bad or an issue, but I almost wish we didn't have so many options because I think someone or multiple people are going to have their at-bats seriously cut. I just hope some of these guys can perform while likely getting less play time.

Edit to add: this also brings up what rbtexan continues to say, which is that we shouldn't be giving roster spots to guys out of charity, circumstance etc. They need to earn their way onto the roster, but in this instance I think it would be something to seriously consider.

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Isn't Langford supposed to be left fielder anyway?

He definitely is and he'll play there quite a bit I assume, but from what I have seen and read, the Rangers planned to make him the DH to start the season.

I think the concern about Langford playing LF is that he has made some mistakes in reads and there is concern about his D right now. It is something he'll improve, and I believe expected coming out of college and adjusting to MLB. Things like reading the speed of the ball off the bat.

I believe it was Mike Bascik mentioned it this past week.

Regardless of where he plays/bats, is there any question that Langford will be on the OD roster?

From Jeff Wilson:

Scherzer's timeline is now tracking toward being available in late May or early June. The Rangers might not want to put him on the 60 in case his timeline continues to accelerate.

A reminder: Josh Jung will DH in a minor league game today; Corey Seager will face live pitching for the first time: https://t.co/qiY5wXfA1g

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) March 18, 2024

Tksymm7 said:

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Interesting notes from Evan Grant's latest piece on the Rangers: 1) because of injuries to three out of four of the starting infield (sans catcher), there's real questions about who is going to play first base, 2) there's probably two or three long reliever spots that are up for grabs (more of this in a moment), and 3) where do you hit Wyatt Langford, especially with the injuries that we have currently and then when everyone is back?

On the reliever front, there is apparently a real thought and conversation around Jack Leiter occupying one of the long reliever roles in the bullpen. The thought here is two fold; on one hand we really need long relievers, especially with Bradford joining the starting rotation and the other candidates being Jose Urena and Matt Duffy, and on the other hand there's a real belief that Leiter could benefit more from being with the big club and their staff every day than with the AAA club and staff.

The more I think about it the more I would be on board with Leiter making the roster and being a long reliever for a bit. If his dad is truly a problem, playing with the big club could shelter him more from his dads opinions while getting better help from the Rangers staff, and top of that I think the long reliever role could fit him well. Long relievers often come into games when they are already more or less decided, so there would be very little pressure on him in big spots, and he does have the raw stuff to be successful out of the pen. Ultimately I don't think this happens, but after thinking about it more I do think it makes some level of sense.

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I love the idea of having him in that role. I feel that's the best way to introduce guys to major league innings while still staying protected (when I'm playing The Show i love doing that with my SP prospects on the verge of graduating from AAA). And if he sticks, he can easily earn his spot in the rotation next year.

Grapesoda2525 said:

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From Jeff Wilson:

Scherzer's timeline is now tracking toward being available in late May or early June. The Rangers might not want to put him on the 60 in case his timeline continues to accelerate.

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That's consistent with what I read most recently.

You can backdate a move to the 60IL for 3 days prior to OD. That'd be 3/25. 60 Days would be May 24th or so. I also heard the Rangers could put him on the 60IL to say, "slow down" so he isn't trying to rush back.

From what little I know about Scherzer, I think telling him to slow down probably wouldn't go over well.

As the tension and excitement builds for Opening Day of the defending World Series Champions... does anyone think Jung and Seager won't be playing Opening Day?!

The more excited I get, the more likely I think they push their way into the lineup regardless of readiness.

This is the people side of the decision. All these years and you know it probably never gets easy. It is one thing to dump the psycho ex-girlfriend who stalks you... totally different when you know you are only taking a break from dating and likely to see each other soon:

Bruce Bochy on tough roster decisions looming... pic.twitter.com/H7czKK9lZu

— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) March 18, 2024

Normally I would say for someone that has struggled as much as he has, to just go down to AAA and keep working/grinding, but Leiter is a different scenario with all of the noise around him, his father and just how tumultuous his time as a Ranger has been. I just don't know what he would get by going down to AAA for a long period of time. He's clearly still working on things, and usually I would just say go down to continue working, but it hasn't worked for him yet in the minors, so why would it work now if they send him back down? Maybe just maybe if you stick him in the bullpen, he can work on his stuff to the fullest extent while getting the chance to pitch in situations that might fit him better than starting at this point.

I think there's a very strong possibility of them playing. Jung is taking ABs in a minor league game today, Seags is starting to face live pitching and has shown a propensity to be able to just get up and play. However, a hernia is a little different to comeback from like a broken hand or strained hammy. So I think the next 2 or 3 days will be key with how they feel.

For sure! I think he made a massive stride after his little workout in front of the FO and major league coaching staff. Also I feel like what he has done this spring is still building off of those changes to his mechanics. I think it would continue to help him by keeping him around Boch, Maddox, and the big league rotation. Don't even get me started on the issues with his dad.

I'm by no means an ex MLB player or have a son in Jack's position, but I still feel like I would have a hard time trying to butt in and tinker with my son's training like he had been.

It's interesting to say the least.

I have kids that swam competitively. They swam with a kid... well, his dad happened to have been an Olympic Swimmer. His uncle was an Olympic Swimmer.

We'd speak everyday... great guy. His approach was to let his coaches coach... and he'd parent. I'd ask if he would give his son advice and his belief was that he (the father) was a swimmer not a coach. His was built differently and there were some techniques that changed over the years and he (the father) didn't want to commit to coaching and didn't have the experience that lifelong coaches had committed to. Our HC for our LSC had led the club for 40 years and produced many collegiate and Olympic qualifiers.

The kid is seeded #5 and #6 in two of his events for the NCAA Champs next week and has Olympic Qualifying times.

I don't know how many MLB SPs Jack Leiter's dad has coached, but it is likely fewer than Mike Maddux and Bochy.

Love it! Especially that they're having great success now!

Let's hear y'all's predictions for the Opening Day lineups!

My thoughts:

Lineup
1. 2B Semien
2. LF Carter
3. DH Seager
4. RF Garcia
5. 3B Jung
6. 1B Walsh
7. SS Duran
8. _C Heim (S)
9. CF Taveras (S)

Carter-Taveras-Garcia
Jung-Duran-Semien-Walsh
Heim - Eovaldi

Langford will make the OD Roster. He will play G2.

MrCoachEricTaylor said:

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Let's hear y'all's predictions for the Opening Day lineups!

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Facing a lefty.

1. Semien - 2B
2. Seager - SS
3. Langford - DH
4. Garcia - RF
5. Jung - 3B
6. Heim - C
7. Walsh - 1B
8. Carter - LF
9. Taveras - CF

I would really like to see Carter leadoff at some point this season. I think he's so patient and has such a good handle of the zone, with his speed, I'd love seeing him and Semien both drawing walks and being on base for Seager with no outs, with Garcia and Langford waiting behind him

MrCoachEricTaylor said:

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I would really like to see Carter leadoff at some point this season. I think he's so patient and has such a good handle of the zone, with his speed, I'd love seeing him and Semien both drawing walks and being on base for Seager with no outs, with Garcia and Langford waiting behind him

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Barring Langford doesn't flop, I don't see how you not have him and Seager hitting 2/3 in your order with Adolis at 4. Good problems to have but until Carter can prove he can hit or get on base against lefties I don't think Semien moves out of the lead off role, especially against lefties.

Blake Snell to Giants. 2/$62

Mr Gigem said:

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Blake Snell to Giants. 2/$62

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Pricey, considering the compensation picks given up. Boras really fudged this one up. Gotta imagine Monty gets something similar.

FWIW:

With today's moves, Texas now has 52 players in Major League camp: 32 players on the 40-man roster and 20 non-roster invitees.

— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) March 18, 2024

In the OF, that leaves:
Active Roster:
Carter
Garcia
Jankowski
Taveras

NRI:
Derek Hill
Wyatt Langford
Aaron Zavala

C:
Active Roster:
Heim
Knizner

NRI:
Liam Hicks
Andrew Knapp
Matt Whatley

Tomorrow will they reduce some IF and RP?

Yeah, I think for the time being that's how it stays, between Semi and Carter. Hopefully Carter will get full playing time this season to get more work against lefties. I think for now you keep Garcia in front of Langford. And until Langford can overtake him for the 4 hole, it honestly protects Garcia as long as Langford is still barreling up balls regularly.

I think it goes like this against the lefty..
2B Semien
SS Seager
RF Garcia
DH Langford
3B Jung
LF Carter
1B Foscue
C Heim
CF Tavares

the all-time Home Run leader for each MLB franchise, but only players with a career batting average under .200 pic.twitter.com/5xONOjOVMc

— BrooksGate (@Brooks_Gate) March 18, 2024

This is amazing. 8 spots held by former rangers (including Lewis brinson.)

The $31 mm aav though is what I believe the CBT hit would bring calculated at. So for Rangers even signing Monty to $14mm for this season, if AAV is $31, the Rangers CBT payroll would be closer to $277. That would mean paying 42% tax on $20 mm. https://t.co/vKwTDyUE0F

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) March 19, 2024

What's it say for those of us not on facebook

Mr Gigem said:

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Blake Snell to Giants. 2/$62

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And a loss of a draft pick and $500K in Int'l money.

AgBQ-00 said:

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What's it say for those of us not on facebook

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Just Adolis walking back through his ALCS grand slam.

I'll try to find a link outside of FB

No thanks to Snell.

No thanks to Monty.