http://disqus.com/by/UTB/enFri, 11 Jan 2013 13:05:48 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2013/1/11/friday-morning-open-thread.html#comment-763936746<p>I just don't really buy that. A few years ago? Sure. But over the last 1.5 years as he has been dealing with aging/injuries? I don't think so.</p><p>Which of these 2B is vastly inferior to Kinsler in terms of range: Phillips, Zobrist, Pedroia, Espinosa, Infante, Barney, Kendrick, Hill, Ellis?</p><p>I would argue that Kinsler has worse range than a few of those guys and maybe comparable to the rest of them. To me, that isn't "amazing". He's an above average 2B but I think his defensive prowess is significantly overrated.</p>UTBFri, 11 Jan 2013 13:05:48 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2013/1/11/friday-morning-open-thread.html#comment-763823605<p>I still don't understand where "what Kinsler wants" comes into play.</p>UTBFri, 11 Jan 2013 11:29:12 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2013/1/11/friday-morning-open-thread.html#comment-763822572<p>True. But over the last 3 years, his UZR ~ 5. That's a pretty weak evidence for the claim that he is great defensively. And given his ankle injuries, I don't expect his range to improve or remain consistent.</p>UTBFri, 11 Jan 2013 11:28:18 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2013/1/8/liar.html#comment-759998407<p>Ah yes, the brilliant mind that labeled JD as "Boy Blunder" two years prior to back-to-back WS appearances. Quite a baseball luminary.</p>UTBTue, 08 Jan 2013 09:02:01 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2013/1/4/report-rangers-have-offered-contract-to-lance-berkman.html#comment-757042293<p>Hopefully we can trade for Upton and move Cruz. Then this lineup would be pretty damn good.</p>UTBSat, 05 Jan 2013 15:05:07 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/28/friday-morning-rangers-notes-still-dreaming.html#comment-749777764<p>Fair point - but the alternative is waiting it out and rolling out a less productive ML team (Kinsler moving to 1st rather than Profar/Kinsler up the middle w/ a power bat at COF spot). Additionally, I believe Upton's value will likely never be lower than it is right now (given his health issues last year). Andrus, OTOH, really doesn't project to get much better unless he suddenly has a power explosion. Texas has Profar. I don't see much value in paying high $$ to sign a SS when you have the best SS prospect in baseball ready to go. High risk, low reward, IMO.</p><p>And if Texas hasn't signed Andrus by now, I don't see what incentive Andrus would have to sign a long-term deal with free agency drawing near.</p>UTBFri, 28 Dec 2012 13:54:49 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/28/friday-morning-rangers-notes-still-dreaming.html#comment-749549340<p>Why is Texas dragging its feet on Andrus? He fits the profile of the type of player you move: good but not great player, plays a position where you have an immediate replacement, will be gone in two years.</p><p>Deal from an area of strength to address an area of weakness. This should have happened months ago.</p>UTBFri, 28 Dec 2012 09:34:49 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/23/sunday-morning-rangers-notes-things-fall-apart.html#comment-746131923<p>Why? Bourn offers nothing that Texas doesn't already have. While Gentry/Martin may not perfectly duplicate what Bourn produces, their production should be pretty close. Bourn does nothing above average offensively other than steal bases. The Rangers simply don't have a need for a light-hitting CFer.</p><p>Texas does have a need for a power-hitting COF like Upton.</p>UTBSun, 23 Dec 2012 10:49:39 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/17/the-end-of-josh-hamilton-and-the-winter-of-our-discontent.html#comment-740937529<p>I could understand the argument. Castellanos is a solid prospect but was bad in 79 games at AA. He was young for the level but still a concern. Garcia is decent, but he's a guy who rarely walks and doesn't appear to do anything exceptionally well.</p><p>But if I'm trading Elvis without getting an impact player back in the <br>deal, I would rather Texas focus on getting more/better high-end <br>prospects. I would look at what TB got for Shields as a starting point and I don't think the proposed Det deal is in that range.</p>UTBMon, 17 Dec 2012 12:51:23 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/17/the-end-of-josh-hamilton-and-the-winter-of-our-discontent.html#comment-740768181<p>To me, Porcello, Boesch and Dirks have little to no value. If Texas decides to move Andrus for prospects, I hope they get a better haul than that (and I hope that they do move Andrus).</p>UTBMon, 17 Dec 2012 09:16:57 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/13/angels-josh-hamilton-agree-on-five-year-125-million-deal.html#comment-735226762<p>I would rather "overpay" at $16 million/year than $25 million. Unlike JHam, Swish's game (OBP-driven) projects to remain solid throughout the next few years. Count me in.</p>UTBThu, 13 Dec 2012 15:46:19 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/13/angels-josh-hamilton-agree-on-five-year-125-million-deal.html#comment-735210448<p>FLA is rebuilding. Even if they weren't, they wouldn't trade Stanton for two years of Andrus.</p>UTBThu, 13 Dec 2012 15:22:50 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/13/angels-josh-hamilton-agree-on-five-year-125-million-deal.html#comment-735204457<p>LAA: cornering the market in regrettable contracts since GMJ.</p>UTBThu, 13 Dec 2012 15:14:24 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/11/indians-dbacks-reds-agree-on-monster-three-way-trade.html#comment-733662687<p>Agreed. Elvis is a nice player - but his value lies primarily with his defensive abilities. Texas has a good replacement available. It's a no-brainier in my mind. Maybe AZ is the team saying no.</p>UTBTue, 11 Dec 2012 22:32:18 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/6/grant-rangers-phillies-in-advanced-talks-on-michael-young-tr.html#comment-729234575<p>Whether they have informed MY of his reduced role or not, the fact that they are trying so hard to trade him is a pretty obvious signal that the organization doesn't view him as a significant piece of the 2013 Texas Rangers.</p>UTBThu, 06 Dec 2012 09:55:31 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/5/tonights-explosive-michael-young-trade-rumor-sort-of.html#comment-728877323<p>^ This. Wash was hired on the cheap b/c Hicks was running the club. Now, there is no reason to employ a manager who obviously doesn't understand/utilize the methodology that the front office obviously believes in.</p><p>Personally (much like with the MY situation), I believe that JD wants a reason to send Wash on his way.</p>UTBWed, 05 Dec 2012 21:43:21 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/4/grant-rangers-trying-to-finish-josh-hamilton-deal-working-on.html#comment-728274721<p>From a free-agent perspective, I agree. But if Texas could swing a deal for Upton and Shields, I see no reason why this would be a rebuilding year.</p><p>It's not the worst thing in the world - but I don't think that Hamilton has much leverage. I would offer 3/$80 and see what happens.</p>UTBWed, 05 Dec 2012 09:07:50 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/4/grant-rangers-trying-to-finish-josh-hamilton-deal-working-on.html#comment-727732825<p>No way I give Hamilton 4 years at an AAV of $25 million.</p>UTBTue, 04 Dec 2012 19:11:35 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/12/3/report-rangers-re-sign-geovany-soto-to-one-year-deal.html#comment-726133132<p>Comments about a catcher's ability to "work with the staff" are about as meaningful as praise bestowed upon hitting coaches. In other words, they are meaningless.</p><p>Soto is a total spare and it's a crime that he will make $3 - $4 million next season.</p>UTBMon, 03 Dec 2012 11:26:07 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/11/13/mark-buehrle-josh-johnson-to-blue-jays-in-epic-trade.html#comment-710278757<p>Aside from the sorriness of the Florida ownership group, I am not a huge fan of this trade from Toronto's perspective. Reyes will be 30 next season, is locked up for 5+ more years and is unlikely to be much better than average (given his reliance on speed). JJ can't stay healthy and Buehrle will be average. </p>UTBWed, 14 Nov 2012 14:07:28 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/11/8/you-cant-kill-me-because-im-already-dead.html#comment-705276561<p>Agreed. Elvis simply doesn't project to improve much going forward. Upton, OTOH, has a significantly higher ceiling and was pretty comparable to Andrus despite playing all of 2012 with a nagging shoulder injury.</p><p>If it's Upton for Andrus straight up, I pull the trigger.</p>UTBFri, 09 Nov 2012 00:13:31 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/11/2/report-rangers-have-serious-interest-in-david-ortiz.html#comment-698688692<p>Not sure why "fixing" Moreland is a huge priority. The guy posted a line of .275/.321/.468 in 2012 and a wRC+ of 104. Not great - but decent enough.</p><p>If you platoon him and MY at 1st, that's not a horrible duo. </p>UTBFri, 02 Nov 2012 11:20:01 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/10/19/entitled.html#comment-687140978<p>MJH - well done, sir. To me, the most significant problem involved in the "entitlement" regime is the message it sends to the young/unproven players. If you are Craig Gentry, the only take-away you can have from this season is that there really is nothing he can do to earn a starting gig. That's a pretty dangerous message to send throughout an organization.</p>UTBFri, 19 Oct 2012 11:19:00 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/10/2/the-rangers-are-93-67.html#comment-668655919<p>Griffin &gt; Dumpster</p>UTBTue, 02 Oct 2012 10:00:38 -0000http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/8/15/good-job-good-effort.html#comment-621005815<p>Except that they keep trying to bust Hamilton inside. Everyone in baseball should know that you just pepper the outside corner and NEVER challenge him inside. </p>UTBThu, 16 Aug 2012 09:01:46 -0000