Texas Rangers 2019 Thread

[HornHuskerDad]

at least a way forward with starting pitching.

Good point, Viper. Given where they started this season, having two new potential starters emerge is a very pleasant outcome. It would still be nice to end at .500, but it looks doubtful at this point.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Nice pitching duel going on in Houston between Lynn and Verlander. No score yet in the fifth. Hard to believe the Astros and their prolific offense could be shut out - but I'd like to see Lynn do it. That assumes the Rangers can find a way to score a run against Verlander.

 

[ViperHorn]

A 1-4 record over the past 7 days for the Rangers.

Winning - the only stat that counts. The league standings are starting to show some clarity (teams with .500 records):

AL
East: NYY .650 (clinched division); TB .590; Boston .523 (eliminated from WC)
Central: Twins .615; Cleveland .590
West: Astros .654(clinched division); A's .603
NYY and Houston still trading first place for home field with Houston eking out a slim lead. However, with NYY closing next weekend in Arlington, there is a distinct possibility of a sweep by the Yankees while Houston is playing LAA in Anaheim.
Wild Card (in order): A's, TB, Cle

NL
East: Atlanta .611 (clinched division); Wash .552; NYM .523(eliminated from WC) ; Phillies .513 (eliminated from WC)
Central: Cards .557(clinched WC), Brewers .551; Cubs .526 (eliminated from WC)
West: LAD .641 (clinched division); Ari .513 (eliminated from WC)
LAD winner of West; Cubs and Brewers fighting for second place in Central
Wild Card (in order after St. Louis): Wash; Mil

Rangers close out the Season and Globe Life Park with 3 with Boston and 3 with NYY. Woodward is on record as stating the season-long try-out for the team is over, and those who have not bought into his "system" will not be back. We will see as his hands will be tied somewhat by finances and what will be available as the minor league system isn't ready to supply the number and positions that will be needed but this is a discussion for the off-season.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Woodward is on record as stating the season-long try-out for the team is over, and those who have not bought into his "system" will not be back. We will see as his hands will be tied somewhat by finances and what will be available as the minor league system isn't ready to supply the number and positions that will be needed but this is a discussion for the off-season.

Viper, it will indeed be an interesting off-season. I'm still thinking a FA starter will be a high priority, and that will cost some bucks. If Solak is penciled in at 3B, I can live with that - also with Trevino at C. It would be nice to move one of the the LH bats from the OF and replace it with a RH bat - Mazara would seem to be the logical trade bait..

Also need to see what they do with Odor at 2B - not sure he is perceived as a "buy-in" guy for Woody.

 

[ViperHorn]

HHD, Odor was one that was mentioned in the article as not "fully" bought in. In addition, his slumps are getting longer so I would put Sloak at 2nd and Kiner-Falefa at third and not look back and play "what could have been". This would mean Forsythe would continue as the infield utility player. While the 2nd and 3rd issues will sort themselves out, the article raised warning flags with Elvis. Not for not buying in, but his batting slump has to be cured.

I like Mazara and feels he brings a good work habit to the clubhouse, but your analysis is spot on. Choo, DeShields, Calhoun, and Gallo are not going anywhere.

 

[FWHORN]

Rangers get some national pub with the intentional dropped foul ball. I cant get too worked up about that. Glad Minor got to 200k's but I do wish Boston hadnt played games in the 8th and that both teams would have straight up not pulled any shenanigans. Ultimately, I have no issue with Guzman dropping the ball in a game that was otherwise meaningless, not sure how I would feel if that batter had hit a HR on next pitch instead of striking out but I get what they were thinking and doing.

 

[ViperHorn]

Rangers get some national pub with the intentional dropped foul ball. I cant get too worked up about that. Glad Minor got to 200k's but I do wish Boston hadnt played games in the 8th and that both teams would have straight up not pulled any shenanigans. Ultimately, I have no issue with Guzman dropping the ball in a game that was otherwise meaningless, not sure how I would feel if that batter had hit a HR on next pitch instead of striking out but I get what they were thinking and doing.

It didn't bother me either. Two teams playing out a disappointing season why not let individuals have some freedom? That play will pay dividends in the clubhouse going forward.

 

[FWHORN]

Rangers finish year 78-84, 11 wins more than I thought in March they would get. Nolan threw out first pitch yesterday and now it’s on to the new stadium. The Rangers go into off season with three starters and need to find at least two and really three more starters along with fleshing out a bullpen that has a true closer. They can compete for a wild card next year with the right moves, it’s just a question of whether JD can/knows how to make them.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

They can compete for a wild card next year with the right moves, it’s just a question of whether JD can/knows how to make them.

...and the willingness of ownership to open up the checkbook. If the Rangers really like the youngsters on the farm and don't want to trade them, then the short-term solution is signing Free Agents - that doesn't cost prospects, just mere money.

 

[X Misn Tx]

just don't overpay for already aging players (Choo). i like josh donaldson, but at 33, it feels like a shorter contract would be warranted. i know Rendon is brought up, but signing him would preclude signing a top starter.

I'd like to see them spend a little. maybe they find more mike minors out there.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

^Agree. Rendon will command huge bucks as a Free Agent. For the Rangers, it's a lot more important to find another quality starting pitcher. If Donaldson is available for a 2-3-year contract at a reasonable price, well and good - he would be a nice veteran to play 3B until the farm system can produce the long-term replacement.

 

[ViperHorn]

Generally speaking, unless a starter is the final piece of the puzzle, take the superior everyday guy first. If the Rangers are no comfortable with what they have now at 3B, I believe they should put in a full faith effort to get Rendon. If they cannot throw enough money at him to overcome not playing on either coast, then chase a younger good pitcher.

Also, remember the Rangers need a quality number one catcher.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

^Viper, I get the impression the Rangers are willing to go with Trevino behind the plate, at least in the short run. I'll admit I don't know the status of young catchers in the farm system, but Trevino did come up through the Rangers' system.

I don't think they can outbid the other teams for Rendon. And if they did, it would break the bank for other FA candidates. I personally would rather see them buy a good starting pitcher, if the right young guy is available at the right price.

 

[ViperHorn]

HHD, there isn't anyone behind Trevino (which is why they tried Kiner-Falefa this season). I think they have their younger starters, but if Rendon money gets crazy they should drop out of that furball.

What they do need to do is spend some smart money on players to show the fans that they are serious. My great fear is that they do nothing substantial; flop on the field, and start crying in their beer about fans not flocking into the new stadium after the All Star break. (With the increased ticket prices due to the lower capacity of the new stadium they have alienated some fans already.)

 

[HornHuskerDad]

My great fear is that they do nothing substantial; flop on the field, and start crying in their beer about fans not flocking into the new stadium after the All Star break.

A very real fear, Viper. IMO, management knows that the "new" in the new park will fill it up for a couple or three months. After that, the fans will want to see a team that is contending (at least for a Wild Card spot). For that reason, I think ownership will open the checkbook for reasonable deals - but I fear that Rendon and Cole won't fall into that category. Let's see if JD can pull off another search mission as he did to land Minor and Lynn - and maybe still have some left for a short-term deal for a Josh Donaldson type.

 

[ViperHorn]

Let's see if JD can pull off another search mission as he did to land Minor and Lynn - and maybe still have some left for a short-term deal for a Josh Donaldson type.

I would be happy with that.