The first major blow in the Major League Baseball trading deadline happened over the weekend when the Seattle Mariners dealt Cliff Lee to their division rival the Texas Rangers for Justin Smoak and three other prospects. This is a good decision and a potentially really bad decision.
The Rangers are currently bankrupt without an owner and need money very bad right now. So they turn their prized prospect for one of the front-runners for the AL Cy Young. This will bring in ticket revenue and every start by Lee will probably be a sell out a lot like C.C. Sabathia for the Milwaukee Brewers. Then you add if they do make the playoffs, which they probably will means even more money for them. A franchise who hasn't seen October since the early 2000s had to make a move, but who would have thought it would be probably the biggest one?
I sure as hell didn't and I didn't think the Minnesota Twins would be able to land him either. Then as the LeBron saga is going on and I am getting ready for Mitch-a-Palooza, SportsCenter said the New York Yankees were getting close to landing Lee. I thought, "Shit, here we go again and Lee-Sabathia-Hughes will be unstoppable." But Texas came in hot and had to offer their best offensive prospect. But this doesn't compare to the Sabathia-Milwaukee deal for a big reason.
The Rangers gave up too much in hopes of making a decent playoff run unless Texas knows something we don't about Smoak or they believe it's possible to re-sign Lee at the end of the year. The Brewers made the big splash because management realized how important a playoff berth was to this city. I don't know if that's the same thing for Arlington right now, but it might have just been a way to halt the New York Yankees too.
The Yankees had they got Lee could have guaranteed themselves a World Series berth and probably back-to-back titles. I have to think Texas believes that with Lee they can play with the Yanks, Tampa Bay Rays/Boston Red Sox, and White Sox/Twins/Tigers when it comes to the playoffs. If they can add another mid-level pitcher with not giving up much (you want Doug Davis or Randy Wolf?), the Rangers are the second best team in the American League. They have arguably the best lineup in baseball with Josh Hamilton/Ian Kinsler/Vlad Guerrero, etc. and then add Lee, a clutch pitcher in postseason and another pretty solid pitcher they might be a force to be reckoned with.
-Charlie.
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Showing posts with label Texas Rangers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Texas Rangers. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
AL West Preview
Finally finishing up the American League, I think the AL West could probably be won by any of the four teams that are in the division. But here is who I think will be the winner...
1.) Texas Rangers- KEY ACQ: DH Vladimir Guerrero, SP Rich Harden I LIKE: Josh Hamilton- I think Hamilton will bounce back nicely from struggling last season and will have a productive year, I don't know about an All-Star yet still good year. I HATE: Harden- I cannot see that going well for him, he pitched fine in the AL but he always gets hurt. Big red flags for me. PREDICTION: They will win by a rock of Ron Washington's cocaine, it should be battle all year long. I think the Rangers bullpen will be the difference for them.
2.) Los Angeles Angels- KEY ACQ: OF Hideki Matsui SP Joel Pineiro I LIKE: Kendry Morales- I think he will be a bonafide stud in 2010 and will dominate for this team this season. Morales should be an All-Star this season. I HATE: Brian Fuentes- I think he is probably one of the shakiest closer in Major League Baseball with more than forty-five saves. He is a headcase waiting to happen. PREDICTION: Another team that could make the playoffs if the chips fall right. They need a good year out of Fuentes, and their pitching staff has potential, the question is will they capitalize on this?
3.) Seattle Mariners- KEY ACQ: 2B Chone Figgins OF Milton Bradley SP Cliff Lee I LIKE: Lee- Despite his early injury, he has shown to be one of the best pitchers in the Majors and proven it in both leagues. King Felix and him back-to-back is tough as hell. I HATE: Bradley- He is a cancer to almost all team he has played for but I will say Ken Griffey Jr. might be a guy to settle him down, still I think he will have another down year. PREDICTION: They have the ability to be a playoff team but they need a big year from a lot of guys, which seems a lot of ask from guys like Jose Lopez, Ian Snell, and others.
4.) Oakland A's- KEY ACQ: SP Ben Sheets, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff I LIKE: Andrew Bailey- He is an upcoming closer for the A's and I think he will be a force in the bullpen. I HATE: Sheets- I cannot believe he is their number one, and he really hasn't pitched well this whole spring so I worry he breaks down by June. PREDICTION: They have a ton of youth that are starting or ready to go in their minor leagues so if the develop quickly they could contend for the AL West. I also really like Brett Anderson too.
-Charlie.
1.) Texas Rangers- KEY ACQ: DH Vladimir Guerrero, SP Rich Harden I LIKE: Josh Hamilton- I think Hamilton will bounce back nicely from struggling last season and will have a productive year, I don't know about an All-Star yet still good year. I HATE: Harden- I cannot see that going well for him, he pitched fine in the AL but he always gets hurt. Big red flags for me. PREDICTION: They will win by a rock of Ron Washington's cocaine, it should be battle all year long. I think the Rangers bullpen will be the difference for them.
2.) Los Angeles Angels- KEY ACQ: OF Hideki Matsui SP Joel Pineiro I LIKE: Kendry Morales- I think he will be a bonafide stud in 2010 and will dominate for this team this season. Morales should be an All-Star this season. I HATE: Brian Fuentes- I think he is probably one of the shakiest closer in Major League Baseball with more than forty-five saves. He is a headcase waiting to happen. PREDICTION: Another team that could make the playoffs if the chips fall right. They need a good year out of Fuentes, and their pitching staff has potential, the question is will they capitalize on this?
3.) Seattle Mariners- KEY ACQ: 2B Chone Figgins OF Milton Bradley SP Cliff Lee I LIKE: Lee- Despite his early injury, he has shown to be one of the best pitchers in the Majors and proven it in both leagues. King Felix and him back-to-back is tough as hell. I HATE: Bradley- He is a cancer to almost all team he has played for but I will say Ken Griffey Jr. might be a guy to settle him down, still I think he will have another down year. PREDICTION: They have the ability to be a playoff team but they need a big year from a lot of guys, which seems a lot of ask from guys like Jose Lopez, Ian Snell, and others.
4.) Oakland A's- KEY ACQ: SP Ben Sheets, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff I LIKE: Andrew Bailey- He is an upcoming closer for the A's and I think he will be a force in the bullpen. I HATE: Sheets- I cannot believe he is their number one, and he really hasn't pitched well this whole spring so I worry he breaks down by June. PREDICTION: They have a ton of youth that are starting or ready to go in their minor leagues so if the develop quickly they could contend for the AL West. I also really like Brett Anderson too.
-Charlie.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Vlad the Impaler Heads Quietly Into Arlington
Before we get going on the Vlad story, I have a new blog for all of you to check out when you visit the Corner. It's called Sports Chump and it covers the major topics in sports. I would definitely suggest reading the story on the coaches who all lost their jobs because of their physical attitude towards players, hell of a read.
There was a mild baseball story last night that I think is a bigger story than people believe. Vladimir Guerrero signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers. I feel this is a smart move by the brass in Arlington because Guerrero is a hell of a designated hitter option and gives them an upgrade on defense once in awhile.
Since the Angels have dismantled somewhat losing John Lackey to Boston and Chone Figgins to Seattle plus a perplexing signing of Hideki Matsui and now losing Guerrero. People would be right to assume that the AL West is wide open. The Rangers went 87-75 finishing second in the AL West and were in the Wild Card hunt until the last couple of weeks.
Despite being somewhat injury-prone year last year, Guerrero hit near .300 with 15 homers and still played in 100 games. With the Rangers doing the one year deal, that means that they do not have much stock put into what Vlad might do this year, yet if he has a huge year, it will be a great success. I believe he still has some in the tank when it comes to the offensive end and maybe, he doesn't have the same speed to cover the field yet he has a cannon of an arm.
The other thing about the Rangers is they are a very young team who will continue to get better in the next couple of years. Sometimes adding that key veteran free agent can be the difference from finishing just out of the playoff hunt to making the playoffs and possibly some noise when there. In my opinion, they might still be a year away with some uncertainty with their young pitching but if they get that together, the Rangers may contend for AL West.
-Charlie
There was a mild baseball story last night that I think is a bigger story than people believe. Vladimir Guerrero signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers. I feel this is a smart move by the brass in Arlington because Guerrero is a hell of a designated hitter option and gives them an upgrade on defense once in awhile.
Since the Angels have dismantled somewhat losing John Lackey to Boston and Chone Figgins to Seattle plus a perplexing signing of Hideki Matsui and now losing Guerrero. People would be right to assume that the AL West is wide open. The Rangers went 87-75 finishing second in the AL West and were in the Wild Card hunt until the last couple of weeks.
Despite being somewhat injury-prone year last year, Guerrero hit near .300 with 15 homers and still played in 100 games. With the Rangers doing the one year deal, that means that they do not have much stock put into what Vlad might do this year, yet if he has a huge year, it will be a great success. I believe he still has some in the tank when it comes to the offensive end and maybe, he doesn't have the same speed to cover the field yet he has a cannon of an arm.
The other thing about the Rangers is they are a very young team who will continue to get better in the next couple of years. Sometimes adding that key veteran free agent can be the difference from finishing just out of the playoff hunt to making the playoffs and possibly some noise when there. In my opinion, they might still be a year away with some uncertainty with their young pitching but if they get that together, the Rangers may contend for AL West.
-Charlie
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Josh Hamilton Takes a Shot for Soberity
I understand that some of you may find me cruel for the title but to be honest I will explain why I am alright with Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton's "lapse in sobriety" because things could be alot worse.
If you have not seen the pictures of Josh Hamilton getting aggressive (via Deadspin) then you are truly missing out. Granted people have came out and said that he had no drink in hand at any of the pictures although just looking at the guy he looks completely hammered. He has been sober since 2005 and had committed his life to Jesus saying he would never do any of the things that drove him out of the league.
Well he screwed up thats for sure but I cant imagine how hard it must be for Hamilton with temptations throughout the year. He plays on a fairly young team who probably enjoys going out and Hamilton could be going out every night with these guys. Instead he heads home to his wife and kids enjoying his sober life.
Although here is my big time BUT. It isnt like he is doing lines off some hooker in Las Vegas or getting high on pain pills. If you read about his battles with drugs, he was doing ten times worse things to his body than alcohol. The bigger issue I have is the fact that he is doing shots off women that arent Mrs. Hamilton. I mean there are a lot of athletes in professional sports that cheat on their wives and you dont if Hamilton took any of those girls home although I think we could all make our own assumptions if she were to divorce him.
I have made the point many times that "athletes shouldn't be a role model for kids" and Hamilton shouldnt be looked at any differently unless he falls deeper.
-Charlie.
If you have not seen the pictures of Josh Hamilton getting aggressive (via Deadspin) then you are truly missing out. Granted people have came out and said that he had no drink in hand at any of the pictures although just looking at the guy he looks completely hammered. He has been sober since 2005 and had committed his life to Jesus saying he would never do any of the things that drove him out of the league.
Well he screwed up thats for sure but I cant imagine how hard it must be for Hamilton with temptations throughout the year. He plays on a fairly young team who probably enjoys going out and Hamilton could be going out every night with these guys. Instead he heads home to his wife and kids enjoying his sober life.
Although here is my big time BUT. It isnt like he is doing lines off some hooker in Las Vegas or getting high on pain pills. If you read about his battles with drugs, he was doing ten times worse things to his body than alcohol. The bigger issue I have is the fact that he is doing shots off women that arent Mrs. Hamilton. I mean there are a lot of athletes in professional sports that cheat on their wives and you dont if Hamilton took any of those girls home although I think we could all make our own assumptions if she were to divorce him.
I have made the point many times that "athletes shouldn't be a role model for kids" and Hamilton shouldnt be looked at any differently unless he falls deeper.
-Charlie.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Surprises of the American League
I have written apology letters to my friends on this blog before and I am not going to the have a full out apology article to my friend Sepehr who loves the Toronto Blue Jays and sit on top of the AL East. But I am going to take a look at the MLB teams that are top of the division and I am not going to touch on the NL Central with Brewers Weekly on Sunday night or Monday...
Toronto Blue Jays- The "Fighting Sepehrs" have really impressed me so far because they have put together a great pitching staff around their ace Roy Halladay. Brent Cecil has been great so far as well as Scott Richmond, and Brian Tallet. Now today, they trot out another young pitcher Robert Ray and he throws one unearned run today in a victory against the White Sox. Is this team slowly becoming Tampa Bay of last year? My answer... Probably. I wouldnt be surprised if they stay close to the top of the AL East because they have starting pitching and a bullpen despite the B.J. Ryan struggles who is done by July when they get a closer. Their offense is stacked with good young guys like Adam Lind and Travis Snider plus I still consider Vernon Wells a new-aged veteran.
Kansas City Royals- The Royals are back in business for the first time in my long lifetime although they are sort of like the Florida Marlins of the AL because they start off strong and fade during the year. Here's the difference though.. they have Zach Grienke who I believe we can say is the best pitcher in the AL so far right this season. They play in an AL Central that it might take only 85 wins to win the division. They still have guys like Luke Hochavar who was a number one pick and Brian Bannister whose another top pick who has a ton of potential. The big question will be can they last without Joakim Soria for the next couple of weeks. If they can withstand not having their closer, I really like their chances to win the AL Central.
Texas Rangers- I always thought that the Texas Rangers had the offense to be a force in the AL but I wasnt sure if their pitching was good enough to hold up leads for them. I was wrong in that aspect which surprises me because they have the likes of Vincente Padilla and Kevin Milwood leading your rotation, I would completely run for cover. The other big thing is Josh Hamilton wasnt playing almost all year and the Rangers still found ways to win without their best hitter. Now he is hitting the ball making that offense even tougher. I still think the Los Angeles Angles who are getting their pitching back and starting to heat up slowly are good enough to still take this division although they are not the run away favorite like in years past.
-Charlie.
Toronto Blue Jays- The "Fighting Sepehrs" have really impressed me so far because they have put together a great pitching staff around their ace Roy Halladay. Brent Cecil has been great so far as well as Scott Richmond, and Brian Tallet. Now today, they trot out another young pitcher Robert Ray and he throws one unearned run today in a victory against the White Sox. Is this team slowly becoming Tampa Bay of last year? My answer... Probably. I wouldnt be surprised if they stay close to the top of the AL East because they have starting pitching and a bullpen despite the B.J. Ryan struggles who is done by July when they get a closer. Their offense is stacked with good young guys like Adam Lind and Travis Snider plus I still consider Vernon Wells a new-aged veteran.
Kansas City Royals- The Royals are back in business for the first time in my long lifetime although they are sort of like the Florida Marlins of the AL because they start off strong and fade during the year. Here's the difference though.. they have Zach Grienke who I believe we can say is the best pitcher in the AL so far right this season. They play in an AL Central that it might take only 85 wins to win the division. They still have guys like Luke Hochavar who was a number one pick and Brian Bannister whose another top pick who has a ton of potential. The big question will be can they last without Joakim Soria for the next couple of weeks. If they can withstand not having their closer, I really like their chances to win the AL Central.
Texas Rangers- I always thought that the Texas Rangers had the offense to be a force in the AL but I wasnt sure if their pitching was good enough to hold up leads for them. I was wrong in that aspect which surprises me because they have the likes of Vincente Padilla and Kevin Milwood leading your rotation, I would completely run for cover. The other big thing is Josh Hamilton wasnt playing almost all year and the Rangers still found ways to win without their best hitter. Now he is hitting the ball making that offense even tougher. I still think the Los Angeles Angles who are getting their pitching back and starting to heat up slowly are good enough to still take this division although they are not the run away favorite like in years past.
-Charlie.
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