Ramon Vasquez

[Uncle Rico]

There isn't a utility player that has been the topic of as much conversation on this board as R Vasquez. Last night was a total fluke night. Normally the dude doesn't go 4-5 with 4 RBIs and he usually doesn't committ 3 errors.

If he didn't get that hit in the 9th I know I probably wouldn't be posting this but I just don't EVER see Blalock having a performance like that. I think the team wasn't as good with Blalock and while he is more talented than Vasquez he doesn't play winning baseball.

the rangers are better with Vasquez in the lineup than blalock and there's nothing that can convince me different. the fact HB got hurt sucks for us and I just don't see why we would pick up his option next year unless we thought he could come back and we could trade him.

give me r vasquez in the 9 hole over blalock in the 5 or 6 hole every day and twice on sunday.

 

[spystud13]

Favorite player on the Rangers, hands down. I normally hate LeBreton, but here's his take on Blalock: See ya, Hank...

Oh yeah, Ramon spells his last name with a Z.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Ramon is a utility player, and a very good one to have at his reasonable price. He can fill in very nicely at any infield position. The long-term solution at 3B? Could it be Michael Young? If Andrus is everything the reports say at SS, moving MY to 3B could work well. That makes HB odd-man-out, and if you look at his health issues for the past two years, it's a crying shame, but facts are facts - he has not contributed because he has not been healthy. $6M+ is a lot to pay to a guy whose best position is DL.

HornHuskerDad

 

[Horn@AC]

Hank Blalock is not the answer. Need to keep looking for replacements. Vazquez has been a very able and exceedingly good replacement, Blalock's days are numbered.

 

[Remove Rowdy]

Good riddance to to Hank Blalock. I get this negative feeling every time he is in the line-up. He is probably a nice guy, but cut him please.

 

[Uncle Rico]

spystud I read that article and it's embarassing that the Rangers tried to cover that up. i understand why, but it still doesn't look good.

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[BurntOrange03]

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[HookemHrns03]

I don't see the point of keeping Vazquez around when German Duran is a better, cheaper version of him.

And I don't want to hear "Duran didn't look so great this year". He had played about 15 games above the Double-A level when he was called up to the Majors. Then he was immediately stuck at third base, where he had played zero (and I mean that) games in his life before this season. He's got a good bat and a serviceable glove around the infield. He will be a better option in the utility role than re-signing Vazquez.

 

[spystud13]

Duran may be a better option in 2-3 years, but how in the **** would he be a better option in '09?! As you admitted, he has very little high-level experience, is basically strictly a 2B (would you ever trust him @ SS over Vazquez?), not to mention he's basically out for the rest of the season with a thumb injury. There is absolutely no logical reasoning how Duran would be a better option than Vazquez in the immediate future.

 

[Uncle Rico]

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[spystud13]

Damn Rico, you basically flip-flopped your own opinion in a thread you started. It comes down to this question: If only one was on our roster next year, who would you rather have, Vazquez or Duran?

 

[Uncle Rico]

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[HookemHrns03]

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[spystud13]

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[Uncle Rico]

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[HookemHrns03]

Yes, but wouldn't you be rolling the dice by re-signing a 32-year-old with a career .689 OPS and expecting him to hit?

Duran isn't as far away from being a productive Major Leaguer as you guys think.

 

[Uncle Rico]

I don't think going with a vet is as much of a risk as Duran. That said, I see what you are saying but you might be putting too much into the OPS thing.

It really boils down to do I think Vasquez will hit .320 next year? I would bank on that. If he hits .250 then a cheaper Duran might have been a better option because that's all I'd expect out him.

 

[BurntOrange03]

just start blalock at 3rd next year and pray he stays healthy. I say let duran be the utility guy since I also don't expect vazquez to stay unless he gets a guaranteed starters spot

 

[Horn@AC]

I like Vazquez, but he needs to get over himself. I do understand, however, that he is just wanting a little assurance and $. He is a temporary fix at third until we can get a younger player to perform there with consistency.

Could be Duran.

 

[PFD]

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[HookemHrns03]

I've seen Arias plenty of times this season. His arm strength is not good enough to play shortstop in the Majors and it may never be again. He still has to use his whole body just to get throws to first, and they oftentimes still one-hop the first baseman. His shoulder surgery was in July 2007.

There is a very real reason that Ryan Roberts was called up over Arias, who was on the 40-man roster, when the Rangers needed a backup shortstop.

 

[Uncle Rico]

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[PFD]

Yeah, I must have been crazy to think that the Rangers might call up Arias and audition him to replace Vazquez in the utility IF role.

 

[Beau Vine]

BTW, Vazquez has a .371 BABIP. That pretty much screams "fluke season."