Texas Rangers

NT03 · March 30, 2008

For you Rangers fans. Not a fan by any means , but I still attend games for the love of the sport. Until there is a new ownership and gm this team will NEVER go anywhere.. GO CuBs!!!

Edited March 30, 2008 by NT03

woody82986 · March 30, 2008

I am a Texas Rangers die hard. I just can't help it. I would consider it a successful season if we played .500 baseball for all 162 games.

FirefightnRick · March 30, 2008

I just don't expect much. I noticed in this week's SI, the baseball season section, in talking about the Rangers it say's they still don't have the pitching. And as we have known for years, they will never get the pitching with the stadium layout as it is. And sure enough, there's a qoute in the article from a scout who when asked about the Rangers improving their pitching prospects said..."Who would want to pitch in that stadium?". My question is, what could they do to reverse this trend? Take 10 to 15 rows out and move them elsewhere?

Thoughts?

Rick

filmerj · March 30, 2008

I just don't expect much. I noticed in this week's SI, the baseball season section, in talking about the Rangers it say's they still don't have the pitching. And as we have known for years, they will never get the pitching with the stadium layout as it is. And sure enough, there's a qoute in the article from a scout who when asked about the Rangers improving their pitching prospects said..."Who would want to pitch in that stadium?". My question is, what could they do to reverse this trend? Take 10 to 15 rows out and move them elsewhere?
Thoughts?
Rick

They could take ten or fifteen rows out and and no one would ever miss them.

woody82986 · March 30, 2008

If they took away the walking space between the bullpen and the field in right field and took out the space between the seats and the field in left that is used to update the scoreboard out there, and then moved the wall back, it would give them another 8 to 10 feet of field. The problem is the wind that swirls around there. If they would take out the glass windows around the luxury boxes it wouldn't be "quite" as bad.

bstnsportsfan3 · March 31, 2008

Sorry, but the rangers wont win more then 70-75 games.........LETS GO RED SOX'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KingDL1 · March 31, 2008

Sorry, but the rangers wont win more then 70-75 games.........LETS GO RED SOX'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love the stadium argument with the wind effect but it is complete and total BS.

If there is a stadium argument it is the heat, the real argument is the Owner and team management.

Green Mean · March 31, 2008

I just don't expect much. I noticed in this week's SI, the baseball season section, in talking about the Rangers it say's they still don't have the pitching. And as we have known for years, they will never get the pitching with the stadium layout as it is. And sure enough, there's a qoute in the article from a scout who when asked about the Rangers improving their pitching prospects said..."Who would want to pitch in that stadium?". My question is, what could they do to reverse this trend? Take 10 to 15 rows out and move them elsewhere?
Thoughts?
Rick

I dont doubt that the stadium has SOMETHING to do with it but in the end you either know how to pitch or dont. The Rangers have had solid pitchers who have done solid for them in the last couple of decades but they never compiled a full team that had it. The personnel decisions since Melvin left has been borderline attrocious. I do see some light at the end of the tunnel tho because we NOW know that we are in rebuilding mode. They have a lot of young players and a lot of exciting players to watch for in the next couple of years. Supposedly the Rockies have a worse situation than the Rangers but look at last year? They were the NL champs and they had a great all around team with great pitching. To me its all about having a sense of right direction and smart personnel moves. Like Junior said this morning on the ticket, if the Rangers get more than 70 wins then I think it will be a successful season.

Green Mean · March 31, 2008

I love the stadium argument with the wind effect but it is complete and total BS.
If there is a stadium argument it is the heat, the real argument is the Owner and team management.

Actually I would like to add to your points. I honestly do believe that in Texas the heat CAN have an affect on the team. This isnt an excuse but 96+ degree days for 4+ months every single day can wear on you. I think the Astros did it right in building a retractable roof stadium. I think Texas dropped the ball by not building something like that. Oh well, I think the next stadium for the Rangers will be something similar to what the Astros play in. And I think a newer stadium is closer to happening than what many are thinking. I say within the next 10-15 years.

woody82986 · March 31, 2008

Actually I would like to add to your points. I honestly do believe that in Texas the heat CAN have an affect on the team. This isnt an excuse but 96+ degree days for 4+ months every single day can wear on you. I think the Astros did it right in building a retractable roof stadium. I think Texas dropped the ball by not building something like that. Oh well, I think the next stadium for the Rangers will be something similar to what the Astros play in. And I think a newer stadium is closer to happening than what many are thinking. I say within the next 10-15 years.

I don't think a new ballpark will happen any time in the next 15 years. The current one is less than 15 years old and is still ranked as one of the better ballparks in the league. I do see the need for all sports at some point to start thinking about playing in domes or at least in ballparks with retractable roofs. There's just something great about playing baseball outdoors.

Green Mean · March 31, 2008

I don't think a new ballpark will happen any time in the next 15 years. The current one is less than 15 years old and is still ranked as one of the better ballparks in the league. I do see the need for all sports at some point to start thinking about playing in domes or at least in ballparks with retractable roofs. There's just something great about playing baseball outdoors.

You may be right but organizations these days will push for a new stadium if its not cream of the crop. The ballpark was built in 93 so its currently 15 years old. Add another 15 and the stadium will be 30 years old and may be obsolete in comparison of what other stadiums will offer. I'm not gonna lie but I absolutely love the ballpark but I really dont think that new stadium talk in 15 years for the rangers is that far fetched.

CaribbeanGreen · March 31, 2008

The team that plays in freaking COORS FIELD won the National League last year... with a meager payroll, no less. The stadium excuse is moot. Any tiny difference it may or may not make is no a reason for the team's failures. Both teams have to play out there... that's baseball, some parks are hitter's parks, some are pitcher's parks. What pitchers have we had in here that "would have been good" if not for the Ballpark?

Quoner · March 31, 2008

Sorry, but the rangers wont win more then 70-75 games.........LETS GO RED SOX'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet Jesus, you can't even spell Red Sox

bstnsportsfan3 · March 31, 2008

Sweet Jesus, you can't even spell Red Sox

i was tired....that is sad though as im acually from new england and not some stuipd bandwagoner.....

Monkeypox · March 31, 2008

Well, this year it seems like they're finally committed to rebuilding, so we'll see. It takes a lot more patience than Hicks has shown in the past, but it appears they're going in the right direction. That said, it's a long journey, and they're pretty lacking in young OF talent and most of the big upside arms they have are in the low minors, so it will be a while. They've got nothing but prayers in the rotation, and no real 1st baseman, so don't look for any immediate success. This thing will be pretty much wheels off for a few years.

I also like the moves in the front office (hard NOT to like adding Nolan to the staff), and after JD's initial abysmal trades (CY, AGon, Sorryano), he's done a solid job. It looks like we'll have to wait to see if he can trade for quality major league talent, though.

75 wins territory for this team.

Eagle1855 · March 31, 2008

75 wins territory for this team.

which would be respectable, considering the division. I wish only good things for the Rangers. They were my surrogate team for a few years there while living in the area. I even like the ballpark. Yeah, it's hotter than hell, but I think baseball stadiums should be open-air. I love MMP in Houston, but I think the outdoor element is part of baseball.

FirefightnRick · April 1, 2008

The team that plays in freaking COORS FIELD won the National League last year... with a meager payroll, no less. The stadium excuse is moot. Any tiny difference it may or may not make is no a reason for the team's failures. Both teams have to play out there... that's baseball, some parks are hitter's parks, some are pitcher's parks. What pitchers have we had in here that "would have been good" if not for the Ballpark?

Yeah, what would some MLB scout know about pitching prospects, or the fact that regardless of amount of money offered to Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens and someone else who's big name I can't think of at the moment refuse to come here.

Rick

CaribbeanGreen · April 1, 2008

Yeah, what would some MLB scout know about pitching prospects, or the fact that regardless of amount of money offered to Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens and someone else who's big name I can't think of at the moment refuse to come here.
Rick

And if you think that's simply because of the Ballpark, I've got some oceanfront property in Frisco I'd like to sell you.

The tradition of poor management, a barren farm system (until recently), and losing has been around here a lot longer than our very nice park. Short of money raping someone, this has never been a very desirable place for FAs to land. Again, I give you Coors Field, home of the NL champion, low payroll, good pitching Colorado Rockies.

using the Ballpark as an excuse is weak. We can't pitch on the road either. Pitching was a huge problem at Arlington Stadium. Pitchers who can pitch can pitch; certain types of pitchers thrive is certain environments. kenny Rogers was very successful here, a soft tossing, ground ball inducing lefty. He was better or as good here as he was in Yankee Stadium or the INSANELY pitcher friendly Comerica Park and Oakland Coliseum. Weak excuse.

Edited April 1, 2008 by CaribbeanGreen

woody82986 · April 2, 2008

Millwood's road ERA was worse than his home ERA last year.

e-bone ver2.awesome · April 2, 2008

Well, this year it seems like they're finally committed to rebuilding, so we'll see. It takes a lot more patience than Hicks has shown in the past, but it appears they're going in the right direction. That said, it's a long journey, and they're pretty lacking in young OF talent and most of the big upside arms they have are in the low minors, so it will be a while. They've got nothing but prayers in the rotation, and no real 1st baseman, so don't look for any immediate success. This thing will be pretty much wheels off for a few years.
I also like the moves in the front office (hard NOT to like adding Nolan to the staff), and after JD's initial abysmal trades (CY, AGon, Sorryano), he's done a solid job. It looks like we'll have to wait to see if he can trade for quality major league talent, though.
75 wins territory for this team.

Committed to rebuilding? Isn't Saltiamchahcia in the minors? What about Bradley, Byrd and Catalanotto? We have other, younger OFs who could be up getting experience. No rebuilding going on here.

Quoner · April 2, 2008

Committed to rebuilding? Isn't Saltiamchahcia in the minors? What about Bradley, Byrd and Catalanotto? We have other, younger OFs who could be up getting experience. No rebuilding going on here.

What OF prospects? We have Hamilton in center, Murphy justifying what he did last year and a team that worked all summer to trade Byrd to the Cubs but wanted a ransom in return (and almost got Merton and a pitcher for him.) What if Bradley, Byrd and Catalanotto become half of what we got for Closer Roids McGee and Lofton last year? I just don't see them blocking anyone close to ready right now and think they can easily be traded if the need presents itself. Mayberry is not close to ready and I don't think Boggs is either (he is running out of chances.) I think they want to solidify as much as they can through prospects and then open the pocketbook for a Matt Holliday or someone similar once they seem ready. Or use one of their 300 top catching prospects to fill in the gap.

Salty not playing pisses me off to no end. Laird may have a gun of an arm, but he has been the biggest pain of the young season for me so far.

UNTLifer · April 2, 2008

Committed to rebuilding? Isn't Saltiamchahcia in the minors? What about Bradley, Byrd and Catalanotto? We have other, younger OFs who could be up getting experience. No rebuilding going on here.

And now John Danks is starting for the White Sox. Another good pitching prospect sent off for almost nothing in return.

Quoner · April 2, 2008

And now John Danks is starting for the White Sox. Another good pitching prospect sent off for almost nothing in return.

Except...a pitching prospect with better numbers. We also gave up Nick Masset, who's career is already flaming out.

Danks is 23 and went 6-13 with a 5.50 ERA last year.

McCarthy is 25 and went 5-10 with a 4.58 ERA last year.

Stop making me defend JD! It hurts my soul.

Green Mean · April 2, 2008

Salty still has time. JD started off completely awful but i think the last few trades have been good and I think we have gotten the best we could with the trades. I know Volquez is a pitcher but if hamilton performs like he did in spring and like what he did last night then I have no issues with that. Prospects are a crapshoot anyways. I think BMac will be a solid pitcher when he is healthy. We still have a deep farm system with some good prospects so I am willing to give this thing more time.

Green Mean · April 2, 2008

Committed to rebuilding? Isn't Saltiamchahcia in the minors? What about Bradley, Byrd and Catalanotto? We have other, younger OFs who could be up getting experience. No rebuilding going on here.

I disagree....you cant just have unknowns on your team from top to bottom. Even tho they are in "rebuilding mode" they do need to put some vets out there to try to win some games so the attendance totally doesnt go down the drain. The Rangers are still managing on averaging about 30K people I believe and they want to keep it that way. I dont know mind Bradley, Byrd, and Catalanotto....we know they are not in the long future but they can help this team get a few more wins and provide some sort of veteranship and leadership on this team.