With all the analytics focus JD had, what he didn't have was much baseball sense. He was a tinkerer who thought he knew better than the experts and trialed things that were complete failures.

In the case of Owen White, JD had decided that HS Ps were not getting the core strength they needed. As a result, he believed it led to more TJs. So, the HS Ps drafted in 2018 did not P in 2018. Instead of going to Spokane in the PWL, he decided to send them to Az to do conditioning and training to strengthen their core. It was called "deload."

In May 2019, Owen White had TJ surgery.

I agree.

I also expect White to sign a minor league deal. We'll see if it is with Texas or he feels he'd benefit from a change of scenery.

rbtexan said:

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White won't be the only DFA I think.

Festa, Garabito, Daniel Robert, Ornelas, Harris, Foscue....I think any and all of those guys are potential DFAs or trade pieces to clear up 40 man space if needed.

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several of these guys have some rela value. Garabito, Harris and Foscue both need to go.

Goldschmidt to the Yankees on a 1 year, $12.5M deal. His numbers fell off last year, so tough to see his HR #'s return to prior form playing half his games in Yankee Stadium. But still seems like a good affordable deal for the Yankees.

fc2112 said:

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rbtexan said:

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White won't be the only DFA I think.

Festa, Garabito, Daniel Robert, Ornelas, Harris, Foscue....I think any and all of those guys are potential DFAs or trade pieces to clear up 40 man space if needed.

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several of these guys have some rela value. Garabito, Harris and Foscue both need to go.

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None of those guys would give me much heartburn if they were gone. Festa seemed like a pretty decent late season pickup last year, so maybe he has a role this year in the bullpen. Foscue did not look the part at all during his call up last year.

fc2112 said:

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rbtexan said:

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White won't be the only DFA I think.

Festa, Garabito, Daniel Robert, Ornelas, Harris, Foscue....I think any and all of those guys are potential DFAs or trade pieces to clear up 40 man space if needed.

---

several of these guys have some rela value. Garabito, Harris and Foscue both need to go.

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In a perfect world, all of them would be traded and none of them would be DFA'd. Because clearly we'd get something in return instead of nothing.

However it happens, they all need to be gone IMO.

Lowe just traded to Washington. I'm interested in see the return

The Washington Nationals are finalizing a trade to acquire first baseman Nathaniel Lowe from the Texas Rangers, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2024

Sounds like a 1 for 1:

Confirming this. Lefty Robert Garcia for Lowe. 1 for 1. https://t.co/5KWHx16vOU

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) December 22, 2024

I hope so. Pretty ****ty return otherwise. Garcia is JAG

Beautiful savant page for Garcia

ryanhnc10 said:

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I hope so. Pretty ****ty return otherwise. Garcia is JAG

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I guess that is an indication that not many teams want to pay him $10M+ following his arbitration case.

IMO there isn't much on the FA front with position players that would warrant a salary dump involving Lowe. Maybe a trade is in the works. Otherwise, it would almost have to be to sign a fairly stout FA pitcher (hopefully?)

tylhair said:

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Beautiful savant page for Garcia

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I thought that as well, xERA was pretty nice.

Not a burner but will get his strikeouts as a movement guy

On the surface, this has to be the start of a series of moves.

It was mentioned the Rangers were after a LHB, and I opined that it had to have meant a LHB was likely being moved. It appears Lowe. Going from Lowe -> Burger is a downgrade, IMO and opens up 1B/DH again.

Quote:

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That raises the question... if we get a LHB, is it because we expect a current LHB to not be in the lineup.
Carter not healthy enough?
Lowe on the trade block?!
Smith being traded?

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Maybe we're in on Pete Alonso (30)?! Although he is a RHB. I think he is projected to get 5yr/$125.

We had $26M under CBT and moving Lowe would bring us to $35-36M.

Rangers add a LHRP and now have 3.
Latz, Milner, and Garcia

We still need a Closer.

Thing is, LH RP have less value now than they used to have with having to face 3 Hitters.

Evan Grant suggests the next move could possibly be Joc Pederson:

Quote:

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But the Rangers could still use a left-handed bat, to DH, perhaps play an occasional bit of outfield and maybe even a smidge of first base. Enter Pederson, who turns 33 in April, and spent last year torching right-handed pitching as the Arizona Diamondbacks' primary DH.

Two people familiar with the Rangers' position told The Dallas Morning News that the club has had multiple conversations with the veteran's agent. Pederson made $9.5 million last year with Arizona. A similar AAV for a multi-year deal would essentially wash with what the Rangers would have had to pay Lowe.

Pederson slashed .275/.393/.515/.908 for the season, getting 90% of his at-bats against right-handers. And when pitchers threw fastballs, Pederson was even better, hitting .312 with a .636 slugging percentage.

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https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2024/12/22/texas-rangers-trade-1b-nathaniel-lowe-to-nationals-in-exchange-for-lefty-reliever/

Makes sense.

I know Bellinger was being shopped, but landed at NYY. I was trying to remember who I was missing... Pederson... I'd really be on board with that.

I'd like Alonso, but, IMO, out of our price range.

I wouldn't hate Pederson, but man.. Alonzo would be so bad ass

I'm thinking of Pederson, Tanner Scott, and Roki to finish off the off-season.

I really like this move and what it means moving forward. Just my opinion, but Lowe was becoming a JAG for the position he plays. If he's a 2nd baseman or a catcher, he'd be a very solid MLB player, but he's not. He plays 1B, where power is king and defense has become increasingly important. And yes I know he's won a gold glove and silver slugger, but I do not believe that's who he is on a game to game and yearly basis.

Pederson would be interesting. He crushed RHP this year.

Scott (30) 4yr/$56M would be manageable and likely money well designated.
Pederson at $10-11M

We'd still have some sheckles. Maybe even enough for Yates.

Sasaki concerns me. I've been very positive about him, but there are some red flags. His Velo dropped 2mph in '24 from '23. That could be nothing. Could just be better managing his arm. Seems poised TJ will be visiting him soon.

We've only heard the LAD, SDP, and NYM have met with him. All meetings in LA. He can't sign until 1.15.25 and must sign before 1.23.25... I would have thought things would have progressed more by now. SDP and LAD are the favorites and maybe everyone else is fringe.

Maybe we move Seager to 1B now, Smith at SS. Or maybe Walcott is all of a sudden ready for the show.

Theres the Joc Pederson move. Great move imo. Will DH a ton with Burger and provides more juice. If it's not clear that their objective this offseason was to go get boppers, then I don't know what to tell ya haha.

No contract details yet:

Outfielder Joc Pederson and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Pederson, 32, hit .275/.393/.515 last year, destroyed right-handed pitching and is regarded as an elite clubhouse presence. First on the news: @Ken_Rosenthal.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 23, 2024

Interesting, first time I've come across this account. There are a couple sub-tweets with more details if you go to the replies.

Today the #Nationals acquired 1B Nathaniel Lowe ($7.8M surplus trade value) from the #Rangers in exchange for LHP Robert Garcia ($16.9M).

The deal is rejected by our model as an overpay by Washington.

— Baseball Trade Values (@BaseballValues) December 22, 2024

Contract for Joc -

Joc Pederson's deal with the Texas Rangers: 2 years, $37 million, with an opt-out after the first year. A perfect fit for their lineup.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 23, 2024

Loved something I read from Jeff Wilson....he said (paraphrased) that with the Rangers, the floor has been raised. Players are going to have to earn and then keep their position or spot on the roster.

Hopefully, that means that gone are the days when we bring up half-azzed prospects like Nick Solak, Owen White or Blaine Crim for no more reason than they've been around a while so "let's see what they can do". Players need to force their way into the majors and then into the lineup based on what they do, not where they were drafted or what people think they might eventually do. Prove it on the field and earn it.

Pederson and Burger strike out a ton. Pederson does seem to be constantly playing in the postseason - teams see value.

Both Taveras and Burger had 0.5 WAR last season.

I'm not trying to sound like or be a dick, but everyone in the MLB strikes out a ton these days. It's just part of the game now, so I don't pay attention to it a ton.

Was texting with my Astros buddy from the other thread and he said Houston has always been pretty high on Burger, thinking there was some untapped potential. Maybe we'll see a little more from him since he's out of Miami

Yeah until MLB goes back to stressing OBP, putting balls in play, moving base runners over, etc, I'm not concerned about strikeout rates either. They're all swinging out of their shoes.