Progressed or Declined?

[Texas Rangers]

With the 2007 season less than 4 months away, the Rangers have made one some-what major move: They signed Frank Cat.

The Rangers lost Matthews, Eaton, Lee, Barajas, DeRosa, Stairs, and could lose a few more when its all said and done. Padilla might be signing with the Cubs, which in essences, would leave our starting rotation looking like this:

Millwood
Koronka
Tejeda
Rheinecker
Volquez..

Thats not exactly what I'd like the Rangers to bring to the table going into the 2007 season. Everyone knows there are rumors of Zito comeing to Texas, which would be amazing if he did. He would be a great asset, but its not a done deal. Our OF does not look good at all. Cat. playing RF would be fine by me, but wilkerson has proved he isnt an everyday guy. Will he be ready for the '07 season and if he is, will he be the same player as last year? I know I dont want to see Cruz and Guzman splitting time in CF.

And in order to improve our bullpen or even our startign rotation, we have to bring one of our star players into the ordeal (blalock, young). Young has apparently been frustrated and angry at the Rangers organization as of late, hence the reason there is trade talk with him.

My question to you is if you think the Rangers have improved this offseason by letting some real big names get away in order to save the payroll, or have the declined and possibly missed out on the playoffs of the '07 season. I know the offseason is early, but lets face it, the Rangers arnt known for making great offseason moves when late february/early march rolls around. I dont think Jon Daniels and company will walk away empty handed this offseason, but with the big contracts and a lot of ground already lost, will the Rangers be ready to contend in the 2007 season or will it be another season that "could of been" good?

[bailiff]

I would say that we've taken a big decline, but it may actually be for the better. The Rangers need to take this season and see what they have got with DVD. The Rangers need to work EARLY to resign Tex. This is a must. They need to find a servicable CF until next year. They must go hard core after Vernon Wells (who is from Arlington). Lastly, like every other team, we need to find a decent starter.

[skeletor]

I would say that we've taken a big decline, but it may actually be for the better. The Rangers need to take this season and see what they have got with DVD. The Rangers need to work EARLY to resign Tex. This is a must. They need to find a servicable CF until next year. They must go hard core after Vernon Wells (who is from Arlington). Lastly, like every other team, we need to find a decent starter.

Are you guys gonna deal Hank Blalock ?

[Texas Rangers]

Are you guys gonna deal Hank Blalock ?

I would'nt mind dealing away Blalock. The past few years, he has brought nothing to the table. I mean sure he is a good ballplayer, but I think that dealing him away for potential better pitching is in the best interest for the team. I think we will get Zito, but I'm pretty sure it won't be for blalock or anyone for that matter.

As far as Vernon Wells goes, if we want him, the Jays might want Michael Young in return, which I would not agree with. Michael Young is our star player. Trading him for Wells would not be what I would consider a legitimate trade.

[bailiff]

Vernon is a free agent next year, so we wouldn't have to trade anything for him.

[Disgruntaledmarinerfan]

The rangers have done one- up of declining; they have fallen off the table.:clapping

[TheJourneyman]

With the 2007 season less than 4 months away, the Rangers have made one some-what major move: They signed Frank Cat.

The Rangers lost Matthews, Eaton, Lee, Barajas, DeRosa, Stairs, and could lose a few more when its all said and done. Padilla might be signing with the Cubs, which in essences, would leave our starting rotation looking like this:

Millwood
Koronka
Tejeda
Rheinecker
Volquez..

Thats not exactly what I'd like the Rangers to bring to the table going into the 2007 season. Everyone knows there are rumors of Zito comeing to Texas, which would be amazing if he did. He would be a great asset, but its not a done deal. Our OF does not look good at all. Cat. playing RF would be fine by me, but wilkerson has proved he isnt an everyday guy. Will he be ready for the '07 season and if he is, will he be the same player as last year? I know I dont want to see Cruz and Guzman splitting time in CF.

And in order to improve our bullpen or even our startign rotation, we have to bring one of our star players into the ordeal (blalock, young). Young has apparently been frustrated and angry at the Rangers organization as of late, hence the reason there is trade talk with him.

My question to you is if you think the Rangers have improved this offseason by letting some real big names get away in order to save the payroll, or have the declined and possibly missed out on the playoffs of the '07 season. I know the offseason is early, but lets face it, the Rangers arnt known for making great offseason moves when late february/early march rolls around. I dont think Jon Daniels and company will walk away empty handed this offseason, but with the big contracts and a lot of ground already lost, will the Rangers be ready to contend in the 2007 season or will it be another season that "could of been" good?

Matthews - Angels overpaid for him (which seems to be the trend)
Eaton - he brought little to the table last year when healthy. I would rather see them move on and let the young guys play
Lee - would have liked to see him resign
Barajas - time to have Larid out of RF and starting at C
DeRosa - good roll player. been a fan of his since Atl but again Cubs overpaid
Stairs - he was released at the end of last season

If wilkerson is healthy, big IF, I think he will produce a lot better than last year and be in LF full time. I think Cat will fill in fine in RF and produce just with little power CF could be a problem. I don't know how I feel about the rumors of Kenny Lofton. And who is going to DH? Botts? Cruz? I wouldn't mind seeing Burrell come to town but at what price? Its not looking pretty so far. Our offense has taken a huge hit and really wasn't as good as the numbers last year. They have to find a way to keep Young happy. Hopefully Meyer can come up and fill in nicely. Maybe fill the roll left void by the departure of DeRosa.

Zito would be a nice surprise but I have a feeling we will get outbid and will have to settle for who we have.

I have to say I always have hope before each season but I am not happy with the progress so far.

[bailiff]

I am less than happy with this offseason, but what do you expect. I am actually not a real big Rangers fan, but since I live here I follow them. People here just can't understand how or why most players hate playing here. Heck, I hate going to games in August. I believe that The Ballpark is very overrated. Most players just don't want to play here, unless they are from Texas.

I predict that the Rangers will win 74 games this season, but they will get to try out their over hyped DVD rookies, and we (and the rest of the MLB) will find out that Diamond is not good, Volquez needs to be in the bullpen and Danks will be a marginal 4th or 5th starter.

Watch out for Eric Hurley. I believe that he has great upside.

It's going to be a long season, but then again, lets hope I'm wrong.:p

[sharrock]

I am less than happy with this offseason, but what do you expect. I am actually not a real big Rangers fan, but since I live here I follow them. People here just can't understand how or why most players hate playing here. Heck, I hate going to games in August. I believe that The Ballpark is very overrated. Most players just don't want to play here, unless they are from Texas.

I predict that the Rangers will win 74 games this season, but they will get to try out their over hyped DVD rookies, and we (and the rest of the MLB) will find out that Diamond is not good, Volquez needs to be in the bullpen and Danks will be a marginal 4th or 5th starter.

Watch out for Eric Hurley. I believe that he has great upside.

It's going to be a long season, but then again, lets hope I'm wrong.:p

I'm a New England born Red Sox fan who now lives in Dallas. So I follow the Rangers but not sure I can rightfully call myself a fan.

I agree about the Ballpark being overrated. Its a damned good place in the Spring and Fall but the midseason is so hot I will not even consider going to games. This no doubt is the same thoughts of many players, enough to keep some away.

The Rangers are just not a desirable location. If Daniels can build up the farm system (Hart killed it) and establish an ability to compete with the A's and Angels, then the Rangers have enough money to stay competitive. In reality they keep selling the future to the fans but then do little to move in that direction. Ian Kinsler played great this past season and gave some fans hope. Next step is to sink or swim with some of the young pitching. Its been three years of hearing about it.

The telling thing about how the rest of the league and players perceive the Rangers is that they can not get a big bat to come here via free agency. If its such a hitter's park that keep pitchers away, why can they not sell it as a destination for bats? Wouldn't a hitter like to crush the ball at the Ballpark?

For this particular offseason, it might not be so bad to fight the urge to commit mega dollars over five or six years.

With a new manager, hopefully a new attitude will bring better play.

And trade Blalock for anything, he has little value.

[TheJourneyman]

so looks like it will be Lofton in CF.
signed marlon byrd who will be a role player.
rumor they are talking contract with gagne. if he is healthy who wouldn't love to see him come to town.
mulder is coming for a visit but not sure how much stock i would put into that.

zito is still the key i think.

should be an interesting week.

[Texas Rangers]

I'm a New England born Red Sox fan who now lives in Dallas. So I follow the Rangers but not sure I can rightfully call myself a fan.

I agree about the Ballpark being overrated. Its a damned good place in the Spring and Fall but the midseason is so hot I will not even consider going to games. This no doubt is the same thoughts of many players, enough to keep some away.


Try working there for 3 years. It is extremely hot, I agree, butyou get use to it after awhile. I highly recommend the Rangers to build a roof over home plate and that would help 100 times better. I think more players would consider playing here if they invested in that.

[TheJourneyman]

Norm had some interesting points today.

Zito
The Mets (he thinks) aren't coming off their 5 year $75mil offer and that may not be enough. Which makes the Rangers the other option where they seem to be willing to go 6 years.

Gagne
If, and I hope this is a big IF, the Rangers are out of the playoff run come trading deadline and Gagne is pitching well, think about what he would be worth on the market. There is always a playoff team that has a potential problem at closer. If Gagne is pitching well he could fetch a nice package from someone.

Just something to make you think. A lof of big ifs but something to think about.

[Texas Rangers]

so much for zito

[TheJourneyman]

so much for zito

As much as I wanted him, I am glad we didn't shell out that kind of money to get him. Maybe we can land Mulder cheaper and hope he comes back healthy.

[Texas Rangers]

yes mulder is a possibility, but with his surgery, he wont be able to play till mid-season, which would be dissapointing.

[TheJourneyman]

yes mulder is a possibility, but with his surgery, he wont be able to play till mid-season, which would be dissapointing.

Yeah but that's when we need him most. Since we love to tail off after the all-star break.

[Texas Rangers]

Yeah but that's when we need him most. Since we love to tail off after the all-star break.


good point. but lets be realistic with each other, we need SP to start in early april and be able to pitch all the way through mid-october. eaton was a great example of a pitcher who could start till mid-summer and he lacked talent when he came back. if we got mulder or a decent SP who could start at the beginning of the season and last, id be happy with the offseason pitching moves.

[TheJourneyman]

good point. but lets be realistic with each other, we need SP to start in early april and be able to pitch all the way through mid-october. eaton was a great example of a pitcher who could start till mid-summer and he lacked talent when he came back. if we got mulder or a decent SP who could start at the beginning of the season and last, id be happy with the offseason pitching moves.

Ok realistic and pitching into mid october don't really go hand in hand with this club. then again i guess its hard to "see" sarcasm online. Of course you want a guy the whole year if that's the case.

They need a front of the rotation guy. Without that they are going to struggle behind Ana and Oak and maybe Sea. I really hope they add 1 more starter somewhere along the way, even if it isn't before spring.

[The Kid]

I beleive the Rangers have declined. They have signed one big player this off-season, and they have lost about three.